A recent survey of 2,000 parents of children under the age of 18 revealed that half have leftover or expired medications in the home. To reduce the risk for prescription drug misuse by kids and teens, experts recommend properly disposing of unused medications.University of Michigan, October 2022

For one week, investigators monitored 51 people without heart disease or diabetes who categorized themselves as either early birds or night owls and found that not only did the early birds have better fat metabolism at both rest and during exercise, but they were also less likely to become insulin resistant over time. Experimental Physiology,…

Past research has established a link between increased exposure to air pollution and an elevated risk for stroke. According to an analysis of data from the UK Biobank study on middle-aged adults who experienced a first-time stroke, those living in areas with higher levels of air pollution also had a greater chance of developing post-stroke…

Past research has identified sleep apnea as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, but how common is sleep apnea in atrial fibrillation patients? In a recent study, 185 atrial fibrillation patients completed sleep apnea testing and 93% tested positive for the condition— 52.3% primary sleep apnea, 44.8% mixed apnea, and 2.9% pure central apnea. Because…

According to a study that compared the long-term outcomes of 1,046 seniors with a history of distal radius fracture (DRF) and 1,044 without a history of DRF, such a fracture is associated with a 56% increased risk for cognitive decline. The researchers conclude that extra attention should be paid to the cognitive health of older…

Researchers report that successive generations are developing cancer earlier in life than their predecessors, such as cancer of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, liver, and pancreas. Investigators attribute this change to trends over time associated with worsening diet quality, increased sedentary time, increased obesity prevalence, environmental exposures, and alteration of the gut microbiome. Nature Reviews…

In a recent experiment, researchers observed that exposure to diesel exhaust stimulated adverse changes in the concentration of 90 proteins in blood plasma that are associated with inflammation, cellular repair, clotting, heart disease, and immune function. European Respiratory Society, September 2022

Fine particulate matter is a mixture of dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets in the air, most commonly from gasoline combustion and the burning of wood and coal. A recent study found that increased exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution during the second trimester of pregnancy is associated with higher blood glucose levels…

Using data from the National Inpatient Sample, researchers report that individuals who are hospitalized for influenza and who have a history of atrial fibrillation have an elevated risk for acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality. International Journal of Cardiology, Heart & Vascular, August 2022

Researchers report that two times more children made a trip to the emergency room after accidentally eating a button battery between 2010 and 2019 than during the preceding two decades. When swallowed, button batteries generate an electric current, which can trigger a harmful reaction that can cause serious injury, even death. Pediatrics, August 2022